BEDALE pancake race returned to the town centre this year with over 160 youngsters battling it out in a series of races in the Co-op car park.

Organiser Peter Parlour said:”It was ideal, the weather was perfect, the car park was closed for the duration and it was a really good spot after running previously in Bedale Hall park.

“There was an excellent turn out from the three local schools. At the end of the children’s races five ladies were cajoled into racing for the Silverdale Rose Bowl and that was won by Karen Cleary.

“At the end we had a special request from a young runner from the primary school William French, and he took on the Rector of Bedale, Rev Ian Robinson and won. The event was acclaimed the best yet, it was ideal, especially as we were back in the town centre. We really would like to thank the main sponsors, the Cooperative.”

Over 100 racers turned up from Bedale Primary School with Noel Kristofferson, Bailey Lawson, Harry Collins-Smith, Josh Hammett and Rufus Cockburn winning. From Mowbray School over 40 students took part, the winners were Tamsin, Jack, Luke, Joel and Harry.

Winners from Bedale High School who had 25 pupils at the event were Joely Newell, India Lancaster and Jacob Smith. Winners received a large chocolate egg with every runner presented with a small chocolate egg.